Today’s tyres are high-tech products that combine safety, efficiency and comfort. Tyres enable mobility. Yet, what may seem to be a matter of course today is in fact the result of over 150 years of intensive development. From the first pneumatic tyres and the first tread patterns through to safe winter tyres and energy-efficient, intelligent tyres – at various milestones, Continental has redefined tyre technology time and time again. The latest “Tyre Technology” whitepaper outlines on 32 pages the key steps in tyre development, from a simple rubber product to a central component of vehicle technology.
“Exactly 100 years ago in 1924, Continental was the first German company to introduce balloon tyres, which required considerably lower air pressure. Suddenly, tyres were no longer as rigid and stiff. Instead, they provided an air cushion for added ride comfort and security,” explains Edwin Goudswaard, Head of Research and Development at Continental Tyres. This was thanks to the new, pliant cord-fabric textile that replaced the square woven linen fabric that had previously been used in tyres. The balloon tyre marked a new chapter in tyres for passenger cars and commercial vehicles – offering better grip and leveling out any unevenness from the road surface. “Tyre technologies from Continental have had an increasingly decisive impact on advancements in mobility. The safety and value proposition of our tyres is backed by an excellent team of tyre experts. This has been the case for over 150 years.”
Milestones in ride comfort
When the Continental-Caoutchouc- and Gutta-Percha Companies was founded in 1871, road traffic was still in its early infancy. The first predecessors of tyres manufactured by Continental were designed for horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. The start of modern vehicle tyre technology was marked by the development of the pneumatic tyre. It offered huge improvements in terms of ride comfort compared to the solid rubber tyres that were common until then. This was an innovation Continental adopted early on. Much more progress was to follow, such as the introduction of demountable rims and tread wear indicators. Both of these innovations simplified maintenance and improved reliability. “Continental reached the most important milestone in terms of comfort in 1943 when it registered a patent for tubeless tyres. This innovation still shapes tyre production today,” says Goudswaard. This is because tubeless tyres weigh less, leading to reduced rolling resistance and therefore greater energy efficiency. Ride comfort is better thanks to the low air pressure. In addition, tubeless tyres are low-repair and low-maintenance.
Highest safety standards – even on winter roads
Since the very beginning, continuous safety improvements have always been a top priority for Continental engineers. In 1904, Continental developed the first car tyres with a tread pattern, improving grip on the road. The launch of one of the world’s first winter tyres in 1934 led to considerably greater safety on winter roads. And the use of silica in tyre rubber mixtures from 1994 increased the braking effect, while the load significantly minimised rolling resistance.
Efficiency for sustainable mobility
Since the energy crisis in the 1970s at the latest, reducing rolling resistance to lower energy consumption of vehicles has been a core task of developers at Continental. This led Continental to develop the concept of efficiency-optimised tyres to save fuel and extend mileage. New material mixtures and technological innovations such as the ContiEcoContact series also contribute toward more efficient mobility and lower carbon emissions. Furthermore, today Continental offers tyres that are optimised to the properties of electric vehicles.
With the introduction of sensor technologies, Continental ultimately redefined the role of the tyre for vehicles. The ContiPressureCheck system, for instance, continuously monitors tyre pressure and temperature, alerting the driver and fleet operator immediately about any potential risks. Since 2024, tread depth measurement of commercial-vehicle tyres has also been part of the solution portfolio. This is enabled by a new generation of sensor as well as AI-based algorithms that automate the tread depth checks and supply daily updated data on upcoming services and tyre changes. Through the networked, digital solutions offered by ContiConnect, Continental gives small to large-sized fleets the opportunity to automate their maintenance processes, reducing costs and idle times and therefore increasing their operational capability.
The whitepaper dedicated to tyre development, once again emphasises the innovative strength of Continental as well as its commitment to sustainable, safe and comfortable mobility.